Guitars Of The Week:
The Week of December, 23 2002 through December, 30 2002

The Classic
Alder-for The Classic
Candy Apple Red

Who’s next? Don’t be shy, just jump up on my lap and tell me what you want for Christmas. Say, you’re kind of a big boy—and heavy too. How old are you anyway? Okay, I know that’s really none of my business. Why don’t you tell Santa what you really want most? Oh yes, world peace and ending hunger are, of course, the best things we could ask for but we all have to work on that together—and it should be a constant state of mind if we want to see change.

What about for you, is there anything else you can think of that you would like—something that could help to fill your soul? Oh, so there is one thing. What is it? Alright, you can whisper it in my ear if you want to. Tom Anderson? Who’s Tom Anderson? Oh, he makes electric guitars, does he? So then, you want an electric guitar for Christmas? Don’t yell in my ear! Okay, not just any electric guitar, it has to be a Tom Anderson electric guitar. I understand that loud and clear now. What is so special about them anyway? Yes, I am Santa; can’t you tell by the white beard and red suit? Well, maybe I should already know about Tom Anderson. I think I may have heard of him. Yea, I play guitar—but if I had something really nice I’d definitely play more. Oh, so these are really nice. That’s good to know. Oh, not just nice but the best in the world, huh. That is a pretty bold statement. Go on.

So you say you want the world’s best vintage guitar, well wouldn’t that be an old…ouch…don’t pinch my mouth shut. Okay, I’m sorry; I should have guessed that would be a guitar from Tom Anderson Guitarworks but what kind? Oh, so they have quite a few cool vintage renditions, do they? Which do you prefer? The Classic—what’s that?

Right, I should have guessed you’d say that they were only the best playing, best sounding and best looking vintage-style guitar it the world. Now why is this? Sure, I like guitars that play so seamlessly that they almost play themselves and gush with lavishly rich tone, filling every pore of your soul. I’d love a guitar like that myself, actually.

What do they look like? A double cut-away style solid body, I see. Oh, so they are offered in four body woods—the most popular by far being ash and alder. Swamp ash produces a light, airy sound with a musically sparkling top end and rich bottom while alder derives its more powerful demeanor from a tone abundant in strong lower-midrange and its dominance from a natural upper-midrange clarity. Now that is very interesting. Which one do you think is best for your playing style? Oh, the alder, for its bigger tone. That sounds good.

Can you move to my other knee for awhile, my left leg is going to sleep? Thanks, that’s better. How much did you say you weigh? Yea, I know the other kids are lining up; they’ll just have to wait. Stay here and tell me more.

What about necks? Solid maple or maple with a few different species of rosewood fingerboards, that’s cool. And a myriad of backshapes to suit almost any size hand—although they are all extremely comfortable to play. Do they have one that would fit my hand? They do? And stainless steel frets, I’ve never heard of that before. Does that change the tone? No, just improves playability, huh. Oh wow! Why is that? So they are the first traditional-style stainless frets because they have a fret tang and seat right into the wood of the fingerboard still getting the full legendary Anderson fret dress. That must mean that bending, vibrato and playability are better than ever. Is that even possible? I thought Andersons were already known for their flawless feel? Even more flawless now! Impressive!

You’re kidding! You mean they even make all their own pickups and offer such a large variety that it allows players to emphasize different aspects of each wood combination? So let me get this straight, what you are saying is that they can perfectly match the pickups to their harmonically rich guitars for the best sound, right? And vintage pickups? Oh, your getting them in your Classic, a VA1, VA1R and VA2.

Hey, I forgot to ask you, what colors do they offer on The Classic? Almost anything I can think of…that’s quite a variety. What did you choose? Oh, Candy Apple Red—that’s nice…very nice. That color goes with my suit, don’t you think?

Okay, you can get up now. Thanks for the information and have a good Christmas. What? Oh yea, sure, I’ll bring you a Tom Anderson Classic. I can tell you really need one. I think Santa needs one too. Bye, I mean ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas.

Excuse me everyone! Ah…Santa needs to…ah…go…take a break…emergency at the North Pole…yea, emergency at the North Pole. I have to go into this music store over here…this exclusive Tom Anderson dealer and call…Comet or Dasher or Mrs. Clause…yea that’s it, Mrs. Clause and ask her if I can buy a Tom Anderson, Classic…I mean ask her if she can feed the reindeer. I’ll be right back!